CP/M Plus for +3 related software

Notes:I am using the CP/M Plus name as used by Locomotive Software ; in fact, CP/M Plus is CP/M version 3.The CP/M files presented here are stand-alone and not .DSK disk image files. You have to find a way to write the files to a virtual disk image file or to a physical floppy.

CP/M Plus Y2K fixes

I was really surprised to find Y2K fixes for the CP/M Plus system. The whole story can be found at the Unofficial CP/M Web Site .The essential Y2K fixed files for CP/M Plus for +3 Spectrum are:

DATE.COM

DIR.COM

SETDEF.COM

SHOW.COM

SETDEF now allows you to set dates in US (MDY), UK (DMY) or YMD format. These fixes are the work of John Elliott .

Compare v3.0 for CP/M

Ever wanted to know if two files are identical ? This program compares two disk files for equality and lists in case one or more differences are encountered. The different byte is displayed in reverse video, both HEX and ASCII format, if byte is printable character. If not, it displays a "." as ASCII representation.

Help file for CP/M Plus, suitable for use on +3 Spectrum

The CP/M Plus for +3 Spectrum package contains a single CF-2 diskette, with no (significant) free space left on it. I assume this is the reason Locomotive Software missed the CP/M help file from the +3 Spectrum package.

I have the help file from both CP/M Plus for Amstrad CPC and CP/M Plus for Amstrad PCW8256. From the two, I find the PCW version the most suitable for use on +3 Spectrum. As far as I know, there are only three items one should take care of:

PALETTE is quite ambiguous, the manual has a better description for it

PAPER does not exists on CP/M for +3 Spectrum version

PRINTER does not exists on CP/M for +3 Spectrum version

The file is relatively big. It makes sense to use it only if 720K diskettes are used with the CP/M Plus system (like I do).

HiSoft Devpac80 v2

I have purchased this package by mistake, not mine, but MicroSnips’s , an UK retail store that does not exists anymore, AFAIK. I ordered the Devpac for +3DOS and they wrongly sent a HiSoft Devpac original box marked on its back as “1 Disciple-format diskette”, which contained a printed manual for the 48K/128K tape version and a CF-2 diskette with the CP/M version on it. I then wrote to HiSoft (making the proof of purchase) and they have sent to me the complete documentation for the CP/M version (while at the same time I also purchased the +3DOS Devpac directly from HiSoft).

Frankly, I wish to thank MicroSnips for their mistake, because the Devpac80 is an excellent tool and without them I would not have known that a CP/M version even existed !

Note: the original HDEINST.COM file happened to be on a bad sector on disk (a physical scratch) and therefore it was not usable; the actual file has been sent to me by Eurico Oscar Covas (from Portugal at that time) from a similar kit.

The GEN80 assembler is +3 Spectrum specific: option A+ generates a +3DOS header. The rest of the package seems to be universal CP/M (Plus) compatible.

A scanned version of the original documentation is available at the Amstrad CPC Wiki . The specific +3 Spectrum instructions can be found inside the READ.ME file included in the above package.

WordStar v3.0 for CP/M, suitable for use on +3 Spectrum

This is a real word processor. By running such piece of software on a +3, it means your Spectrum machine is a real computer :)

The version available here for download is customized for use on CP/M Plus for +3.The terminal control codes are customized for VT52 compatible monitor.The printer control codes are customized for Epson FX/LX, quite similar as the default +3BASIC printer control codes. Please note that this version of WordStar has a rather rudimentary printing capabilities in respect with modern (dot) printers. The product belongs to daisy wheel printers era... Frankly, Tasword 2 or 3 has better printing capabilities.

Notes:When I first wrote this article, WordStar was the intellectual property of The Learning Company (many thanks to Michael Petrie for this info); however, it is unclear if this is still the case in year 201x, as the TLC web site appears to be down; this page may provide more accurate info on this issue.No compatible version for use with CP/M Plus for ZX Spectrum +3 has been ever built or sold.This version is a binary modified code of a WordStar v3.0 copy, originally customized for an unknown system.

The archive also contains the MAILMRGE.OVR overlay file. It is used by WordStar with the MailMerge option (M from main menu). However, I have no idea what this MailMerge does.

For a summary help of the WordStar commands, click here (plain text file, UNIX-style line ends – i.e. LF only).

The cursor movement control keys have become a de-facto standard for many upcoming text editors, especially those focused on programming languages (the ED80 editor from HiSoft’s Devpac80 package belongs to this category). However, if you are not familiarized with the WordStar cursor movement control keys, or if you simply don’t like it and want to use the native +3 cursor keys, you may change them by means of a submit batch file. Just download this archive and put the KEYS.WS and WSK.SUB files on the same floppy where WordStar resides. Then you may:

enter WordStar as before, by typing WS at the CP/M command prompt

enter WordStar with the new keys, by typing WSK at the CP/M command prompt; when WordStar exits, the key configuration will revert as if nothing had happened

Please check also the README.TXT file included in the archive. The KEYS.WS and WSK.SUB files are simple plain text files. Instead of making a copy, you can create them directly on disk. Make as you wish.

For general help and info about the WordStar program (all versions, including DOS and Windows), visit Michael Petrie ’s WordStar Resource Site.

Some more info

Unfortunately the Oakland ftp site that previously hosted many CP/M files is now gone, but some mirrors of the original Oakland archive may still exists, like the one hosted at Piergiorgio Betti personal site. In fact more useful CP/M (and Z80) info can be found there also, just enter its home page and navigate through the site menu.